Researchers are developing a tissue culture system for the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, to provide a source of pure secondary metabolites. The best known product of the neem tree is the insecticide, azadirachtin. The effectiveness and extreme low toxicity of this compound have earned it a reputation as the best biopesticide available. As hard chemicals are being removed from the list of EPA approved pesticides due to concern about health and environmental risks, safe effective compounds are needed to fill the void. Production of azadirachtin in tissue culture would provide a year round supply, eliminate flux in supply due to environmental factors, eliminate large quantities of solvents used in purification from the seed material, and provide an opportunity to study the biochemical synthesis of azadirachtin. Neem extract also contains substances in low concentration with demonstrated value for human health. Limited clinical trials and numerous animal tests with crude extracts have shown encouraging results for a wide range of maladies.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: Commercial applications include the production of the biopesticide, azadirachtin, as well as other secondary metabolites of potential medicinal value.
